A PHYB-PIF4-auxin module promotes tomato graft formation in response to elevated ambient temperature

Grafting is an effective technique for increasing the resistance of vegetables to biotic and abiotic stresses. It has been widely applied to produce solanaceous and melon vegetables. Temperature is an important external factor affecting graft formation. However, the molecular mechanism by which external ambient temperature affects tomato graft formation remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that elevating ambient temperature during grafting to 35 °C for more than 24 h after grafting accelerated vascular reconnection. We generated self- or heterografted combinations between phyB1B2 and pif4 loss-of-function mutant and wild-type plants, and were mutants unresponsive to graft formation at elevated ambient temperature. In addition, elevated ambient temperature induced SlPIF4 expression during grafting. SlPIF4 directly binds the promoters of auxin biosynthesis genes SlYUCCAs and activates their expression. Further investigation revealed auxin accumulation in the graft junction under elevated ambient temperature. The results illuminate the mechanism by which the PHYB-PIF4-auxin module promotes tomato graft formation in response to elevated ambient temperature.